Kete Rotorua

In John Cresswell's "Hot Lakes Guides" he writes that she was also known as Keita Rangitukia

Tags: Guide Kate

Maggie Rangitukia Middlemass was this kuia’s given birthname, she was born approx 1824/1834(?) in Opotiki. The name ‘Keita’ was adopted much later, when a loved Aunt passed away pre 1882, the name ‘Rangitukia’ comes from her mother.  Keita Rangitukia Middlemass was the daughter of Rangitukia of Ngati Hokopu - Ngati Awa / Whakatohea and Jack (John) Middlemass, a Scotsman, who was a renowned seaman.  Jack Middlemass was a sea-trader, who worked alongside the first pakeha to live in the Bay of Plenty region - Hans Tapsell.  Middlemass regularly took trade items such as flax from New Zealand to England.   
Keita had an elder half brother Matiu, both descended through Middlemass. He was bought up as a McRae.  Keita died at Whakatane on the 23 October 1925 and is buried in the urupa at Opihi. She was around 90 to 100 years of age.  It appears Keita had no issue but she whangai'd my grandmother Keita [Kate] Rangitukia Mutu [named after the kuia], my grandmother was in this kuia's care in 1919.  The other woman in the photograph has been identified as Ngareta, and described as the wife of the Chief Aporo [Hinemihi]. This needs to be verified.

Tags: Guide Kate

Hi Lois,

Thanks for the information about Guide Kate, any other information you know about any of the Hot Lakes Guides would be much appreciated.

Regards, Kete Rotorua

Tags: Guide Kate